At the meeting, PM Chinh highly appreciated USAID's contributions to the recent development of Vietnam-U.S. relations through effective aid activities, contributing to the settlement of post-war consequences, hunger eradication and poverty alleviation, and promotion of sustainable and inclusive development in Vietnam.
The PM welcomed USAID's plan to expand operations in Vietnam, speed up approval procedures and implement projects to increase the effectiveness of development aid.
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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Samantha Power |
He suggested USAID continue to increase support for Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of the war, focusing on handling Agent Orange/dioxin at Bien Hoa Airport and other hotspots, supporting people with disabilities, war victims, supporting the search for remains of Vietnamese martyrs, and especially helping with DNA assessment capacity of Vietnamese scientists through the construction of a high-tech center in this field.
While welcoming USAID's 70-million-USD financial support for Fulbright University Vietnam for the development and modernization of educational institutions and universities in the country, the PM also asked USAID to further assist Vietnam in health, culture, environmental protection, combating climate change and protecting biodiversity in the Mekong Delta.
Power informed about USAID’s plan to expand and enhance its operational efficiency in Vietnam. USAID will focus on assisting Vietnam in dioxin decontamination, bomb and mine clearance, marine environment protection, response to climate change and energy transition, she said.
The Administrator also introduced a number of USAID-funded global initiatives in reducing ocean plastic waster and sustainable infrastructure development in which Vietnam can take part.
At the meeting, PM Chinh and the Vietnamese delegation witnessed the exchange of two cooperation documents between USAID and the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment to improve economic competitiveness and support local capacity development. The cooperation would last until 2028 with the total amount of official development assistance being USD 100 million.
A project on enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnam’s private sector (IPS-C) was also announced. The project, with an ODA amount of USD 36.3 million will last until 2025.
Source: VNA